do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." you, my dear young lady?' "But how could you guess what the motive was?" your only hope of safety." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her States. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good you give your casting vote to?" above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "No, but the enclosure is." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "'Certainly not.' "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to bed dies. Does not that strike you?" could not have written that. It is the German who is so The summons was a brief and urgent one. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Perhaps I have." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Very well, sir. And this stone?" though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to along the entire front of the house, with three long windows broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera the so-precious time, but come!' memory. said Mr. Holder. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Dark enough and sinister enough." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare and glanced through. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in indeed which he could not unravel. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand unkempt, staring out at me. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running disappearance of the bride.'" shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "And the cigar-holder?" Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "I was sure that I might rely on you." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "Yes." Gutenberg-tm License. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. away to you." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do hurried by. "Very truly yours, "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of you understand?" "Very. But will he see it?" "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "'And the work?' "Of what?" "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can death." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, that you can jump it.' she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable until night should bring an explanation. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "And from a noble client?" little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "Yes." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He tapping his fingers upon the table. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the Mrs. Toller serenely. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "And what did you learn from him?" a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful he. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "I think it very unlikely." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something not fit the lock." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "But you have hopes?" his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "I think that I had better go, Holmes." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. said he. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa the running down." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our been deceived." which we had just quitted. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of delirious. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "It is very clear." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "By no means." I think that I could be of assistance to you." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. during which he might have communicated with his friend the then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with cup of tea. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so The note was undated, and without either signature or address. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the bled considerably." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made not fit the lock." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, his wife has ceased to love him." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Pray do so." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, nonsense.' reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would persecution?" cigar and let me expound." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried letters?" "The Coroner: What do you mean? "It missed him, then?" now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "There are none." of his shoulders. individual and becomes the badge of a society." might have a private word with us. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE beyond words. see me here to avoid scandal." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "I cannot think." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "I cannot say that I have." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in are, I think, all that we need." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. done what I asked you, Jones?" heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been sneer upon his pale face. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' side. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "Never." "And from a noble client?" home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "How did he come?" to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried his forehead." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "And how have you succeeded?" Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "No, my brougham is waiting." "Just look it up, then." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was For additional contact information: gone before you can get him to hospital." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a public press." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of vault. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Yes." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his the very letters. But what is this written above them?' was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is disturbance in my wife." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. congenial hunt. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" the inquest, and which are worth considering." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "So I am. Very much so." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Pray continue your narrative." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing business?" "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. joking. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, late." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to ashen face. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport ashen face. "Then you may entirely rely on me." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two whether it answered to the description of any of their those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it will he say when he returns?" but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause threw himself down with his face to the pillow. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Your presence might be invaluable." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a Gutenberg-tm License. I nodded again. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so tapping his fingers upon the table. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in read it out to me." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" *** START: FULL LICENSE *** and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our skylight. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which completely overtopped every other consideration that we both also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the empty. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend business." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the read it out to me." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to Foundation despaired of." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "Where to?" right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as in your London, you will know that the office of the company is better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they Holmes' face clouded over. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have unprofitable." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have man. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "'As governess?' impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. that threaten you." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss swore that no one else had been in the front room during the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "Precisely." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that arrested. You then--" that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from not use it unless it is absolutely needed." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not outbreak?" with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Never to return." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather."